Mental Capacity And Transition To Adult Services

Has anyone been through the transition from child services (social) to adult services? When was your young person assessed and did they have to have a mental capacity assessment and if so, what did this involve?

My son is 17 and the SW has mentioned all this and I wanted to know what to expect.

We are coming to that stage now, ds1 is 16. Unfortunately, I don't think I can be of much help, as ds1 doesn't want to engage with adult services, and as he is very articulate and capable in some respects, this appears to be OK with social services...

I'm sure there will be someone who has been through the transition with more advice!

DS has GCSE's so SW assumed he had capacity without any form of assessment.

And although he qualified for help from adult services, the help was one day a week in a supposedly supportive ASD environment run by some terribly well-meaning ladies who tried to get him to make cakes and name emotions on pictures.

DUH !!

Needless to say that didn't last very long and DS is adamant that he is never going to get involved with social services again.

It's not just decision making for DS, he has trouble answering questions. He explains as even when he knows the answer he can't answer, so presumably that is a demand reaction linked to anxiety. His example is that when some one asks him if he has had breakfast he knows the answer, but can't answer, but the pressure ramps because he knows he should answer. He's not slow in offering his opinion in a group situation so long as he isn't asked. This has led to professionals misinterpreting his communication. and concluding it's a choice not to speak, not an inability.

He asking has trouble asking for things even when he knows the answer will be yes; he even asks for permission to send his own money. the more he want something, the harder he finds it to ask. Not your average teenager!